THE Prime Minister Boris Johnson is set to announce the easing of national lockdown rules in a speech later today.

At 3.30pm, the PM will address MPs in the House of Commons detailing his roadmap out of the third national lockdown.

The speech will be broadcast online and on TV channels including BBC Parliament, BBC News and Sky News.

SEE MORE: Live updates as Boris Johnson to announce easing of restrictions 

The PM is expected to confirm what the Vaccines Minister Nadhim Zahawi this morning said which included the opening dates of schools in England, and unveil further easing of measures.

SEE MORE: Government confirms when schools in England will reopen after third lockdown 

Ahead of his address in the Commons, the PM stressed the need to relax restrictions in a “cautious” manner, saying that the Government would make decisions based on the latest data at every step.

Today, the PM said: “Today I’ll be setting out a road map to bring us out of lockdown cautiously.

“Our priority has always been getting children back into school which we know is crucial for their education as well as their mental and physical wellbeing, and we will also be prioritising ways for people to reunite with loved ones safely.

“Our decisions will be made on the latest data at every step, and we will be cautious about this approach so that we do not undo the progress we have achieved so far and the sacrifices each and every one of you has made to keep yourself and others safe.

“We have therefore set four key tests which must be met before we can move through each step of the plan.”

The 'final' national lockdown

Health Secretary Matt Hancock has insisted that, despite the success of the vaccine rollout so far, and the “understandable” urge to return to normal life, the Government’s goal is to take a “cautious but irreversible approach”.